AHealingCaress by Viola Grace Read Free Book Online Page B

No females were in evidence, which made Bren a little bit nervous.
    When they entered the tent, a pathway opened for them, leading directly to their target. The thrones were set at the far end of the room, but the imperial princess and her father were circulating with their guests.
    The imperial princess was chatting with some other nobles, only a few of who were Warshos. Her face split in a welcoming smile as she saw their trio and she came forward greeting Bren gladly.
    Whispering, Bren filled the woman in, “Healer Brenawyn of the Trinial and Tracker, with our champion, Polai Markos.”
    “Call me, Miri, please.” Her own whisper was just as quiet as Bren’s own.
    The princess leaned back and smiled, “Welcome, Brenawyn. I was hoping that you would make it before the competitions began. How have you been?”
    “Oh, I have been keeping well. Getting plenty of rest and seeing the stars. How do we enter our champion into your games?”
    Miriil looked over Bren’s shoulder and she smiled shyly. “You simply tell me. I will add him to the roster right now.”
    Miriil took Bren by her arm and tugged her away from Tracker and Polai. Curious nobles approached them, but it seemed no one recognized the man that Miriil’s father had ejected from the planet.
    Bren smiled as they added Polai to the roster. “So, Miri, how close were we?”
    Bren noted that the princess was writing Champion of Healer Brenawyn of the Trinial. “I see. Going to keep his name a surprise?”
    Miri blushed. “I don’t want anyone to stop him before he starts. I am my father’s last daughter.”
    “So he is rather protective?”
    “Extremely. Polai and I were in the early stages of courtship and then one day, he was gone. It was years before I learned about the true nature of his sudden departure. All I could do was try and find him after the fact.”
    “Well, you did very well. When does the competition start?”
    “This afternoon. Is Polai well?” Miri’s voice was quiet.
    “He is. He has done very well for himself. He is a botanist on Raxos and is a respected member of the community.”
    “Is he…does he want to return there?” Miri’s fingers were knotted in the top layer of her multi-layered gown.
    Bren put her hand on the princess’s arm. “I think you should discuss it before this goes any further.”
    Miri opened her mouth to reply, but a wave of drumbeats rolled across those assembled.
    Miri’s father stood in front of his throne and beckoned to his daughter. She squeezed Bren’s hand before she walked over to stand on the low dais with her father.
    “Gentlemen, and lady, thank you for coming out today for the bridal combat rites to decide which amongst you will win the hand of my daughter. The combatants have been offered and the book is now closed.”
    Brenawyn moved close to Tracker and nodded slightly. They were all set for whatever came next.
    “Gentlemen, the competition now begins.”
    Miriil and her father walked with a slow and stately pace out of the main tent and into the bright light of the Warshos afternoon.
    The noble who had brought them in came over to them. “Healer, Guardsman, you are to sit with Her Highness in the private box. Your champion should go with the others. The combat is about to begin.”
    Bren walked arm in arm with Tracker to take their seat in the imperial box. Polai went with the hopefuls and was addressed only as Champion. His future was in his hands now and all they could do was watch.

    Chapter Ten
    Bren flinched as she watched the games being enacted. The initial melee took out all but two of the alien suitors. The Warshos grew as they became enraged and it was both impressive and terrifying.
    Polai was now taller, broader and the clothing that he had worn was tattered at the edges. His fangs had appeared at the first attack and they were rather incongruous with the image in Bren’s mind of the first time she met him.
    Tracker kept her hand in his while they sat in the imperial